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50 today --- but who will be celebrating my car's 100th?
My car is 50 today and I've been its steward since 1988. My time with it has been a hoot. But my car's birthday got me thinking about who will have my car 50 years from now in 2066, what shape will it be in and what will it be like driving it then? Sadly, I'm fairly sure that it's unlikely that my car will remain in my family in 2066. A shame really. What is the future for my car then? After thinking about this, there are three questions. Knowing for sure the future 50 years from now is difficult but I do have some guesses.
Will my 1966 Sting Ray still be viewed as a viable, capable roads cars in 2066? Unlikely but not impossible. Mechanically it's stone axe simple, without computers, sensors or a lot of soft trim that go bad and become irreplaceable. Luckily anyone with some basic mechanical skills will be able to be worked on it with the proverbial hammer and pipe wrench. So while our C-1 / C-2 cars mechanically will still qualify as worthy road cars, this could still be a problem. Chances are good that gas stations will be largely replaced with charging stations and high test gas could become only available on the "Black Market."
How will government regulations effect my car in 2066? My prediction is that anything running on hydrocarbons will face new, draconian regulations but not outright bans. You can bet there will be new sin taxes placed on enjoying cars like ours. But like cigarettes, an outright ban would be a step too far. Future laws requiring that all cars be autonomously driven seems equally unlikely.
Will my car still have its intrinsic desirability in 2066? Frankly, I have no idea if something as "rude and crude" as a C-1 / C-2 will still send shivers down the back of a new owner 50 years from now. That's the real question, isn't it?
So I guess I don't really know what the future holds for my car. But today it's 50 so here's my "Happy Birthday" to it.
I sure hope the next owner appreciates this car for what it is and will properly recognize its 100th birthday when it comes around in 2066.
Wish it a Happy Birthday for me. As to the future - the older I get the more I realize how unpredictable the future is. If it were possible to time travel back to 1966 and try to explain to someone what's going on in 2016, a good portion of it would seem unbelievable and probably a little wacky. So what 2066 holds in store for those still around and for our old cars, no one can probably even guess. In my best Karnack impression, I think there will still be roads and something called cars and I think old Corvettes will dazzle people - but it may be mostly in private collections and museums. I think the roads will be grid-locked. But in the meantime - have a good one.
When I ponder this question, I think how do I feel about a 1916 whatever. Nice to know about, but no real joy in owning or driving IMO.
Corvettes are in a unique niche and I think will always be desirable. How much so, who knows? In the mean time I'm going to enjoy mine as much as possible and let the future hold what it holds.
When thinking about the availability of fossil fuels and being able to drive my '66 in the future, I imagine that if (when?) gasoline is no longer available, conversions will be available to whatever power supplies are available at that time. While I'm not against it completely, I have trouble believing electric cars as we know them now will be the wave of the future.
I have driven a couple of Tesla's and liked them, I don't see electricity as being the replacement power source for all cars.
Oh yeah, happy birthday to your coupe - it's really nice looking!
There is a blatant lack of understanding of geometric progression.
By 2066 the population will be to the point that you'll have at least two families living out of your car....it won't be traveling anywhere regardless of available fuel types..
There is a blatant lack of understanding of geometric progression.
By 2066 the population will be to the point that you'll have at least two families living out of your car....it won't be traveling anywhere regardless of available fuel types..
One thing I know for sure: We are VERY BAD at predicting the future! Just watch ANY SciFi movie from the 20th century that depicts 2016 to confirm this fact.
My son will be 59 when our car turns 100 in 2061. I'd say odds are good he will be enjoying it then.
Your Corvette is more derivable and recognizable then my 55 at this point in time . I also wonder what your thinking too. Even today when was the last time you've seen a 55 or even driven? I drive my top flight Corvette to car shows because I love the car and when it's owned by some one else it may never be driven again .
There is a blatant lack of understanding of geometric progression.
By 2066 the population will be to the point that you'll have at least two families living out of your car....it won't be traveling anywhere regardless of available fuel types..
Frankie you are amazing. That is really FUNNY-I'm not kidding.
50 today --- but who will be celebrating my car's 100th?[/IMG]
Happy Birthday to your ride!
I think I'll be around in 2066, if you're thinking about gifting it to me.
One of the things which keep us young are our passions. When my mother retired, she was worried about being inactive. However, she puts in more hours in her garden than she did in her business, and now she complains she doesn't have time for anything else. But these things which keep us busy, like these cars, get us up in the mornings, and more importantly keeps us active, which is a good thing.
Nice coupe.
Last edited by ifitgoesfast; 04-26-2016 at 03:54 PM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
You have a beautiful big block coupe Drive it and enjoy it. What happens after we're gone isn't really something I choose to spend alot of time worrying about. My kids will get the cars and do with them what they wish. For now I'm driving with a big grin
There is a blatant lack of understanding of geometric progression.
By 2066 the population will be to the point that you'll have at least two families living out of your car....it won't be traveling anywhere regardless of available fuel types..
Not to worry Frankie - in 50 years, you can come on out to Nebraska and drive your SWC. We're not likely to reach the current population density levels of say NJ or NY. Maybe not even Florida. But then, there's likely a very good reason for the lower density - it's called Winter!
04-26-2016, 05:59 AM
50 today --- but who will be celebrating my car's 100th?
Interesting questions so for now, enjoy em while you can. 
